Abstract: 1,2-Dichloroethane is prepared by reacting ethylene, hydrogen chloride and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst by a process in which first hydrogen chloride and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas are reacted in the presence of the catalyst, then ethylene is added, and the mixture is reacted in the presence of the said catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of vinyl chloride by vaporizing liquid 1,2-dichloroethane, thermally cracking the 1,2-dichloroethane and cooling the hot reaction mixture by means of cooled and condensed portions of the reaction mixture, wherein a defined amount of the 1,2-dichloroethane is taken off as liquid in or downstream of the vaporizer and mixed with a defined amount of the cooled liquid portion of the reaction mixture, the mixture is distilled and the constituents taken off the top of the distillation column are mixed with the liquid 1,2-dichloroethane upstream of the vaporizer while the constituents taken off the bottom of the distillation column are worked up by distillation.

Abstract: Styrene polymers are prepared by suspension polymerization using, as suspension stabilizers, mixtures of(A) a sparingly soluble inorganic metal compound and(B) a fine polymer dispersion.The styrene polymers may be used, together with blowing agents, for the manufacture of foams.

Abstract: Particulate expandable styrene polymers having short minimum molding times which are coated with from 0.005 to 0.5% by weight, based on the expandable styrene polymer, of a mono- and/or poly-urethane melting below 150.degree. C. and obtained by reaction ofI (a) aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aliphatic-cycloaliphatic, araliphatic and aromatic mono- and/or poly-isocyanates with(b) linear or branched monoalcohols of from 2 to 24 carbon atoms which may or may not be olefinically unsaturated and/or halogenated, or mixtures of such monoalcohols and(c) optionally dihydric to tetrahydric alcohols,the ratio of NCO groups to the total number of hydroxyl groups being from 0.25 to approximately 1:1 and the molar ratio of dihydric to tetrahydric alcohols (if used) to polyisocyanates being not more than 0.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of cross-linked foamable moldings from olefin polymers, wherein the olefin polymer is mixed with(a) a solid organic blowing agent which eliminates gases when heated,(b) an organic peroxide,(c) conventional additives and(d) an activating organic compound which lowers the decomposition temperature of the peroxide,And the mixture is molded thermoplastically and is crosslinked below the decomposition temperature of the blowing agent but above the decomposition temperature of the activated peroxide.The organic activator is preferably a transition metal salt of a long-chain fatty acid.The moldings may be used for the manufacture of foams, for example for insulating purposes.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of styrene polymers optionally containing blowing agent by polymerization in aqueous suspension using as the suspension stabilizer a calcium phosphate which after its manufacture by precipitation has been heated in aqueous dispersion for at least 2 hours at from 70.degree. to 130.degree. C. The styrene polymers may be used for the manufacture of foams.

Abstract: Tubeless automobile tires filled with foam, the foam used being closed-cell foamed particles of a partially crystalline olefin polymer of olefins of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of expandable styrene polymers by suspension polymerization of the monomers in the presence of blowing agents and suspension stabilizers, the latter having been manufactured by polymerization of vinyl monomers in the presence of vinylpyrrolidone polymers. The expandable styrene polymers can be further processed to give foams.

Abstract: Particulate expandable styrene polymers containing organic halogen compounds and, to improve processability, from 0.0001 to 1.0% by weight, based on the styrene polymer, of an amine which is soluble in styrene and free from hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: Particulate, expandable styrene polymers containing a flame-proofing organic halo compound as expanding agent and also a mixture of from 2.5 to 30% by weight of a hydrocarbon of from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and from 97.5 to 70% by weight of monofluorotrichloromethane, based on the total weight of said mixture serving as expanding agent, show good processability and exhibit self-extinguishing properties even during processing.

Abstract: Particulate expandable styrene polymers requiring short residence times in the mold are obtained by polymerizing styrene and, optionally, other copolymerizable monomers in the presence of expanding agents and from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of a brominated oligomer or polymer of a 1,3-diene for at least part of the time at temperatures of from 110.degree. to 140.degree.C.